Get Early Access: Ubuntu Now Releasing Monthly Development Snapshots!

Canonical, the developer behind the popular Linux operating system Ubuntu, has recently announced a new initiative: in addition to the existing beta, release candidate (RC), and stable versions, the company will now release monthly development snapshots, offering enthusiastic users an early glimpse into forthcoming features.

These development snapshots represent carefully selected milestone builds from the ongoing development process, made available for testing purposes. As they remain pre-release versions, they may contain instability and are therefore recommended only for experienced Linux users. These snapshots are not intended for use in production environments.

Effective immediately, Ubuntu will issue monthly development snapshots to allow interested users to explore new functionalities in advance and provide valuable feedback.

Ubuntu 25.10’s development cycle will feature four snapshots: Snapshot 1 was released yesterday (May 29, 2025), followed by Snapshot 2 on June 10, Snapshot 3 on July 15, and Snapshot 4 on August 19. These will precede the beta release on September 18, the release candidate, and the final stable version scheduled for October 9.

The decision to revise the release cadence stems from internal changes to Canonical’s foundational release process. The company noted that while it has developed a robust release pipeline over the past two decades—complete with various security safeguards—it still requires manual intervention.

To address this, Canonical recently established the Canonical Ubuntu Release Management Team. This new team will collaborate with the veteran-led Ubuntu Release Team to modernize the Ubuntu release process. The introduction of monthly snapshots aims to help the new team gain a deeper understanding of existing workflows.

Under Ubuntu’s traditional schedule, new versions are released every six months, with Long-Term Support (LTS) editions arriving biennially. The addition of monthly snapshots now opens the door for broader early testing, enabling the Ubuntu team to identify and address emerging issues more efficiently.

Snapshot 1, released yesterday, is now available for download.

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